Tokyo Itinerary for 3 Days: Routes, Prices and Hours

JGO! editorial team — WEBMARKS Inc. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Three full days in Tokyo are enough for temples, gardens, food and several distinct neighborhoods without changing hotels. This itinerary groups nearby areas together:

The area groupings follow GO TOKYO’s three-day guide. Treat the suggested visit lengths below as planning time, and leave space for meals, station transfers and breaks. If a stop runs long, drop a shopping block rather than rushing a timed ticket or a garden’s last entry. (gotokyo.org)

Before You Start: Choose Your Base and Priorities

Tokyo Station and Marunouchi work well if you want easy access to central Tokyo or are continuing to another region by train. Shinjuku is convenient for Day 3 and has plenty of evening food choices. Either base works for the whole itinerary; compare the walk from your hotel to the station as well as the room price.

For a practical schedule, put these items in your calendar first:

1. Your hotel’s check-in and check-out dates.
2. Any timed observation-deck or exhibition tickets.
3. Garden and museum closing days.
4. The station exit closest to your first stop.
5. Lunch, a seated break and the journey back to your hotel.

The route assumes three sightseeing days apart from airport travel. If you arrive during one of them, choose one neighborhood for that day and ask your hotel to hold your luggage. The GO TOKYO Haneda guide explains the Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail connections. (gotokyo.org)

For a November trip, the earlier closing times make the order especially useful: Meiji Jingu generally closes around 4:10 p.m., while Shinjuku Gyoen’s last entry is 4:00 p.m. Put both before late-afternoon shopping.

Day 1: Asakusa and Ueno

Suggested rhythm: Sensoji and Nakamise in the morning, lunch in Asakusa, then Ueno Park or Tokyo National Museum. Allow roughly 1½–2 hours for the temple area and another 1½–2 hours for the museum if you enjoy art and history.

Sensoji and Nakamise

Begin at Sensoji Temple, entering through Kaminarimon. Nakamise shopping street leads from the gate toward Hozomon and the temple grounds. Look for small souvenirs and traditional snacks, then continue to the main hall and five-story pagoda.

Admission is free. The main hall normally opens from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or from 6:30 a.m. between October and March. The temple’s access guide lists walks of about five minutes from the nearby Asakusa stations. Arrive early for a quieter temple visit; return along Nakamise later if browsing the shops matters to you. (senso-ji.jp)

Lunch: tempura rice bowls

Tendon Tenya Asakusa is a useful seated lunch stop near the temple. Its specialty is tendon: tempura served over rice, with a sweet-savory sauce. The branch lists weekday hours of 10:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m. and weekend and holiday hours of 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; last orders are 30 minutes before closing.

Choose a bowl from the in-store menu, or use the branch page’s mobile-order link if you want takeaway. For a less rushed meal, aim to arrive before the main lunchtime crowd. (tenya.co.jp)

Ueno Park and Tokyo National Museum

From Asakusa, take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Ueno. The operator lists the Ueno–Asakusa trip at about five minutes, with an adult fare of ¥178 by IC card or ¥180 by ticket. Allow extra time to reach the platform and walk to the park. (tokyometro.jp)

Spend a little time in Ueno Park, then head to the Tokyo National Museum for Japanese and Asian art, including ceramics, sculpture and historical objects. The regular-collection ticket is ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for university students. Visitors under 18, those aged 70 or older, and high-school students or younger enter the regular collection free with appropriate identification.

The museum normally opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m., with later opening on Fridays and Saturdays; last entry is 30 minutes before closing. It normally closes on Mondays, or the following weekday when Monday is a holiday. Special exhibitions have separate ticket arrangements. Leave suitcases at your hotel or in station storage: the museum does not allow them inside. (tnm.jp)

Alternative: Tokyo Skytree

If a high view matters more than the museum, replace the Ueno afternoon with Tokyo Skytree. The Tembo Deck is at 350 meters and the Tembo Galleria at 450 meters.

Prices vary by date. A Deck or combined ticket issued at the fourth-floor counter or machine adds ¥500 per ticket. Visitors already on the Deck can buy a Galleria ticket for ¥1,400 per adult or ¥700 per child. Take the Tobu line from Asakusa toward Tokyo Skytree Station, then follow signs to the tower. (tokyo-skytree.jp)

For a different swap, browse cooking tools in Kappabashi near Tawaramachi Station, or head to Akihabara for electronics, manga and games. Choose one instead of adding all three areas to the afternoon.

Day 2: Harajuku and Shibuya

Suggested rhythm: Meiji Jingu in the morning, one Harajuku shopping route around midday, then lunch and Shibuya Crossing. Book an observation deck for later only if you want a paid view.

Meiji Jingu and Harajuku

Start at Meiji Jingu, close to Harajuku Station. The wooded approach feels different from the shopping streets outside; allow about an hour for the walk to the shrine and back.

The shrine grounds are free and open daily, with hours that follow the season. The separately managed inner garden requests a ¥500 maintenance contribution. It normally opens 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from March through October and 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. from November through February, with longer hours in June. Its pond and iris garden make it a worthwhile addition if you prefer greenery to another shopping stop. (meijijingu.or.jp)

Afterward, choose the walk that matches your interests:

• Takeshita Street: youth fashion, small shops and snacks.
• Cat Street: a slower browse through fashion shops on the way toward Shibuya.
• Omotesando: architecture, larger stores and cafés.

You do not need to cover every street. If you have a timed ticket in Shibuya, pick one route and keep the rest for another visit.

Lunch: ICHIRAN Shibuya Spain-zaka

ICHIRAN Shibuya Spain-zaka serves tonkotsu ramen in a rich pork-bone broth. It is a good fit for a quick meal between Harajuku and Shibuya rather than a long group lunch: the branch has individual counter seating.

The listed natural tonkotsu ramen costs ¥1,180; an extra serving of noodles is ¥210. The branch lists 24-hour operation and applies a late-night charge from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Order at the ticket machine and use the order sheet to choose preferences such as noodle firmness. (ichiran.com)

Shibuya Crossing and SHIBUYA SKY

See Shibuya Crossing from street level, then move to a spot clear of pedestrian traffic before stopping for photos. If you want a rooftop view, allow around 90 minutes for SHIBUYA SKY, including time to enter and look around.

Book through the official ticket page: select the visit date, entry time and ticket type, then save the ticket on your phone. Sunset slots are particularly attractive, so choose your time before filling the afternoon with shopping.

For visitors who want a longer rooftop break, the operator lists THE ROOF SEAT & STANDARD SET at ¥7,000 per person, including admission, a sofa seat, drinks and a snack, during its 2026 operating season. Store large luggage around Shibuya Station before your visit; some smaller items must be left in lockers before entering the rooftop. (shibuya-scramble-square.com)

Day 3: Shimokitazawa and Shinjuku

Suggested rhythm: Browse Shimokitazawa in the morning, take the Odakyu Line to Shinjuku, and reach the garden well before last entry. Leave the evening for a view and dinner.

Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa is a good neighborhood for secondhand clothing, records and independent cafés. Pick a few shops you want to see and allow time for a coffee rather than trying to cover every street. GO TOKYO’s Shimokitazawa walk is a useful starting point.

Take the Odakyu Line from Shimokitazawa to Shinjuku. Pay for this ride separately if you are using a Tokyo Subway Ticket, which covers Tokyo Metro and Toei subways.

Shinjuku Gyoen

From Shinjuku Station’s South Exit, the garden’s access guide gives a walk of about 10 minutes to Shinjuku Gate. Plan at least 1½ hours inside for the lawns, garden landscapes and a rest.

Shinjuku Gyoen charges ¥500 general admission, ¥250 for visitors aged 65 or older and students at high-school level or above, and is free for junior-high students and younger.

The garden normally closes on Mondays; if Monday is a holiday, closure normally moves to the next weekday. It opens on Mondays during March 25–April 24 and November 1–15. Cherry-blossom periods can be busy, and advance booking may be introduced on crowded dates. (policies.env.go.jp)

Free view and dinner

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation rooms offer a free Shinjuku view. The South room normally opens 9:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; the North room normally closes at 5:30 p.m., or at 10:00 p.m. when the South room is closed. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The operator advises allowing for an entry queue, often around 20–30 minutes. (zaimu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp)

For dinner, explore the small restaurants around Omoide Yokocho, or choose a venue near your hotel. Before ordering at a bar, ask: “Is there a seating charge or a minimum order per person?”

If you return via Tokyo Station, Rokurinsha on Tokyo Ramen Street is a distinctive alternative. Its thick noodles are served with a separate, concentrated dipping broth. The branch lists morning service from 7:30–9:45 a.m. and later service from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; it accepts cash and transport IC payments. Allow time for a queue. (tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp)

Alternative Day: Tsukiji, Ginza and Central Tokyo

Replace one main day with this route if a market meal and a central-city garden are higher priorities than west-Tokyo shopping.

Tsukiji Outer Market

Start at Tsukiji Outer Market between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., the period suggested by the market’s visitor guide. Many shops close on Sundays and some Wednesdays, so select a restaurant or food shop before setting out. Take cash as well as a card, and eat purchases at the shop or in an appropriate eating area rather than blocking the narrow lanes. (tsukiji.or.jp)

After the market, visit Tsukiji Hongwanji, walk toward Ginza for shops and architecture, then continue toward Tokyo Station and the East Gardens. Keep lunch near Tsukiji if a seafood meal is the reason you chose this day.

Imperial Palace East Gardens

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are free and do not require advance booking. Otemon Gate is a practical entrance from the Tokyo Station and Otemachi side.

The gardens normally open at 9:00 a.m. Closing varies from 4:00 p.m. in November–February to 6:00 p.m. from mid-April through August; last entry is 30 minutes earlier. They normally close on Mondays and Fridays, with holiday exceptions. On a winter visit, shorten Ginza browsing and reach the gate early enough to enjoy the grounds. (kunaicho.go.jp)

Toyosu instead of Tsukiji

Choose Toyosu Market if you want to see a working wholesale-market setting from the visitor passages rather than browse Tsukiji’s outer-market streets. Use Yurikamome’s Shijo-mae Station. The market authority lists visitor passages from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on market days; the passages and retail areas close on market holidays. The wholesale selling area is for professional buyers, while the rooftop green space remains accessible on market holidays. (shijou.metro.tokyo.lg.jp)

For another paid view, Tokyo Tower charges ¥1,500 per adult for its 150-meter Main Deck, normally open 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. with last entry at 10:30 p.m. It makes more geographic sense as a central-Tokyo alternative than as an extra stop after Shinjuku. (en.tokyotower.co.jp)

Transport and Budget

IC card or subway ticket?

A rechargeable Suica or PASMO lets you pay individual fares across the different rail operators used in this itinerary. It is convenient when you mix JR, subway and Odakyu journeys.

The Tokyo Subway Ticket covers Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines for a continuous period from first use:

JR, Odakyu and airport journeys require separate payment. Compare the covered rides you intend to take: the ¥178 IC fare between Ueno and Asakusa, for example, is much less than a 24-hour pass on its own. (tokyometro.jp)

A useful price starting point

For one adult, the regular Tokyo National Museum collection (¥1,000), an ICHIRAN ramen (¥1,180) and Shinjuku Gyoen (¥500) add up to ¥2,680. Adding a 72-hour subway ticket brings those selected costs to ¥4,680.

Build the rest of your budget around:

• Your full hotel room total for all nights and guests.
• Airport travel and rail journeys outside the subway pass.
• Breakfasts, other lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks.
• Any paid view, special exhibition, shopping or activity.

For context, Tokyo’s tourism data reports average foreign-visitor spending by category across complete trips that included Tokyo sightseeing: ¥80,509 on accommodation and ¥44,703 on food and drink. These are whole-trip averages, so use a room quote and your own meal choices to price a three-day stay. (data.tourism.metro.tokyo.lg.jp)

When comparing hotels, use the same dates and guest count, and look at the total with taxes, breakfast and cancellation terms. For restaurants, a useful question is: “What is the total per person, including any seating charge?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Are three days enough for Tokyo?

Three full days provide a good first visit to the six areas in the main route. If food markets interest you more than vintage shopping, replace Day 3 with the Tsukiji and central-Tokyo route.

Do I need to book SHIBUYA SKY?

Use its official ticket page to choose an available date and entry time. Book the time you want before arranging the rest of your Shibuya afternoon, especially if you want sunset.

Is Shinjuku Gyoen open on Mondays?

It normally closes on Mondays, with the seasonal opening periods described above and a usual next-weekday closure when Monday is a holiday.

What should I do if it rains?

On Day 1, spend more time in Tokyo National Museum and less on outdoor browsing. On Day 2, shorten the shopping walk and keep a seated meal. On Day 3, reduce garden time and choose an open indoor view or restaurant.

Where can I get help?

The Japan Visitor Hotline is 050-3816-2787, available 24 hours a day in English, Chinese and Korean. For an emergency, call 110 for police or 119 for fire or ambulance. (japan.travel)

Reference URLs

• GO TOKYO: Three-day itinerary
• GO TOKYO: Haneda Airport access
• GO TOKYO: Shimokitazawa walk
• Sensoji map, main hall and access
• Tendon Tenya Asakusa
• Tokyo National Museum visitor information
• Tokyo Skytree tickets
• Meiji Jingu map, visiting hours and inner garden
• ICHIRAN Shibuya Spain-zaka
• SHIBUYA SKY tickets
• Shinjuku Gyoen admission and access
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government observation rooms
• Rokurinsha at Tokyo Station
• Tsukiji Outer Market shopping guide
• Toyosu Market visitor information
• Imperial Palace East Gardens
• Tokyo Tower fees and hours
• Tokyo Subway Ticket
• Tokyo tourism expenditure data
• Japan Visitor Hotline

Prices, hours and ticket conditions checked November 7, 2026; review the linked operator pages before your visit.